Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa – ABNETA

Regional Agricultural Biotechnology NetworkExpert Consultation Meeting

15-16 December 2007Cairo-Egypt

By Amr Farouk Abdelkhalik, PhD

Regional Coordinator of The Agricultural Biotechnology Network In Africa

Rice Research Center, Egypt

State Ministry of Higher Education And Scientific ResearchCenter of Strategic Planning And Technical Support

www.abneta.orgaabdelkhalik@gmail.com

www.abneta.org

Overview

• Introduce ABNETA

• Structure of the network

• Website tour

• Progress

• Moving forwards

www.abneta.org

Introduction

Problems for Biotechnolgy in Africa

• Limited access to information

• Little sharing of information

• Poor knowledge of activities

• Poor communication between stakeholder groups

• Poor public understanding

• Uncertain policy environment

FAO requested to facilitate ABNETA

www.abneta.org

Introduction2

ABNETA’s aims

• Provide neutral platform information sharing

• Linkages to useful websites

• Database of research personnel and breeders

– Roll out to policy makers, journalists, NGO’s, extension workers,

entrepreneurs, Farmer based organisations.

• Database include laboratory capacities, facilities, protocols,

journalists articles.

• Promote communication and collaboration

www.abneta.org

Collaboration

• FAO – implementer

• ABSF (The African Biotechnology

Stakeholders Forum ) –

• Network owned by members

• Country Coordinators as nodes in

network– Invite Researchers to join the network

– Contribute to portal

HUB

Country Coordinators

Members

HUB

Country Coordinators

Members

Structure of Network

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Researcher Membership by Profession (total 103 members with 12 members stating two professions) 4th April 2007

Biotechnologist, 29

Breeder, 33

Crop Scientist, 5

Other, 26

Microbiologist,2

Molecular Biologist, 6

Agronomist, 7

Plant Scientist, 5

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Researcher Membership by Country (total 103 members from 26countries) 4th April 2007

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AngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoCameroonCongoEgyptEthiopiaGhanaIvory CoastKenyaMalawiMauritiusMozambiqueNamibiaNigeriaRwandaSouth AfricaSudanSwazilandTanzaniaTurkeyUgandaZambiaZimbabwe

Dec 15, 200780 Researchers2 Journalists

www.abneta.org

Moving Forwards

Increase membership

• Talks

• Partner organisations

• News letters

• Country Consultancies

Support members

• Meetings, Exchanges,

• Ownership

• Generate information

• Collaborative proposals

Further improve website

• User friendly– Search, Browse, Documents

• Member Login

• Ask ABNETA, How To’s

• Social Networking

• Photographs

• Link in with other networks

Donors

• Measurable outputs

• Continued dialogue

www.abneta.org

1. NEPAD/North Africa Biosciences Network.

Dr Mohamed Elarbi Aouani . Director, NRC, Cairo, Egypt

Email: mohamedelarbi.aouani@cbbc.rnrt.tn

2. Science Development Network

Dr Wagdy Sawahel, General Coordinator, NRC, Cairo, Egypt

www.sciencedev.net

Email: sawahel@hotmail.com

3. Inter-Islamic Network on Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INOGE)

Dr Hassan Moawad, General Coordinator, NRC, Cairo, Egypt

Email: hassanmoawad@yahoo.com

www.abneta.org

The First All Africa Congress on Biotechnology 2008

The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) through its sister network, the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) are pleased to announce the First ever All Africa Congress on Biotechnology that will be held in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi, between 22nd  – 26th  September 2008 The theme of the Congress will be ‘Harnessing the Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology for Food Security and Socio-Economic Development in Africa.

http://www.absfafrica.org/http://abneta.org/site/

www.abneta.org

Thanks to

• Kakoli Ghosh

• Elcio Guimaraes

• Eric Kueneman

• David Priest

• Ben Indangasy

• Felix M’mboyi

• Prof Norah Olembo

• The rest of the team

CNAPCentre for Novel Agricultural Products

Donors

• FAO

• USDA

• Wain Fund

All Country Coordinators